TUNNEL tolls will stay at the same levels after Merseytravel agreed to continue the freeze for another year.

However, a bid by the three Conservative councillors to reduce them further was voted down when the ruling transport authority met.

Wirral councillor Chris Blakeley had put forward two motions, first calling for a 10p reduction for car drivers and then for a reduction on Fast Tags, but the Tories were outvoted by the Labour and Lib-Dems.

Cllr Blakeley admitted their proposals could have fallen foul of the Tunnels Act which allows Merseytravel to increase tolls in line with inflation, but said it “shows just how bad the Tunnels Act is, taking away power from locally elected members”.

Under the Act Merseytravel could increase tolls to £1.60 for cars but members voted to freeze them at the existing levels, which for cars remains at £1.40.

Cllr Mark Dowd, chairman of Merseytravel, said: “We are delighted that we have been able to retain the tolls at their current level for a further 12 months.

“Under the Mersey Tunnels Act we are obliged to keep tolls in line with RPI, but there is a clause which allows us to freeze them in exceptional economic or social conditions. There is, however, no provision under the Act which allows any other variation. This would require a change in the Act itself.”

Dave Loudon, the chairman of the Mersey Tunnels Users Association (MTUA), said: "This will save a regular user from having to hand over an extra £100 over the next 12 months.”

But the MTUA claimed there remained a “very big sting in the tail, as the report to members implied that the toll will almost certainly be increased in 2011”.